Srinagar: People continued to suffer as life remained crippled for the 78th day today due to restrictions and strike called by separatists in Kashmir, where a youth was killed yesterday in security force firing, taking the toll of civilians killed in the ongoing unrest to 84.
Meanwhile, for the first time since July 9, separatists have give relaxation in strike during the day tomorrow between 2 PM to 6AM the next day.
People came out in large numbers during the relaxation period from 6.00 PM to 6.00AM as per the yesterday’s protest calendar, though decent rush was witnessed much before allotted time. Schools, colleges, business establishments, however, remained shut.
According to the police curfew remained in force in areas falling under three police stations in downtown, including Nowhatta, M R Gunj and Khanyar.
They curfew has been lifted from other areas in down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), besides Batmaloo and Maisuma.
They said elsewhere in the valley security forces remained deployed to strictly implement restrictions on assembly of people under Section 144 CrPC.
However, people from many major towns in the valley, particularly Baramulla, alleged that security forces were directing them to remain indoors.
Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the present agitation since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag, have urged people to hold 'freedom marches' within the districts, besides extending the strike till September 29.
Even though there were only restrictions in entire north Kashmir, people from main town and adjoining area of Baramulla alleged that they were being directed to remain indoors.
The bridges, connecting old town with civil lines, were closed with barbed wires, they said, adding mobile phone services, barring BSNL, have also been suspended since last night.
However, defying curfew like restrictions, thousands of people attended the funeral of a 22-year-old youth, Wasim Ahmad Lone, who was killed in security force firing yesterday at Bunpora in Nadihal in Baramulla.
Thousands Attend Slain Teen’s Funeral
Large number of people, defying restrictions, Saturday joined the funeral prayers of Waseem Ahmad Lone, who was killed yesterday in army firing in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, where mobile service of all cellular companies, barring Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been suspended since last night.
Thousands of people from different parts of north Kashmir defied restrictions and joined the "Nimaz Jinazah" of Waseem at his ancestral village Banpora in Nadihal Rafiabad in Baramulla.
Raising 'pro- freedom' and anti-security force slogans, people, immediately after Waseem was buried, took out a procession. The local villagers and family members alleged that Waseem was working along with others in a paddy field when security forces, who had come in three vehicles, opened unprovoked firing yesterday.
They said a bullet had hit Waseem on his back and pierced through his heart, resulting in his on the spot death though he was shifted to hospital.
The situation was tense, official sources said adding hundreds of security forces and state police personnel remained deployed to prevent any violence.
To prevent any spread of rumours, authorities suspended mobile service in Baramulla. However, BSNL post paid service was functioning.
The mobile internet of all companies, including BSNL remained suspended since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag, evoking massive protests across the valley, where 84 persons, mostly youths, were killed in security force and police action.
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